CT findings in neurologically normal adults with a single generalized seizure

This study evaluates the role of head CT in detecting unexpected cerebral lesions in 100 consecutive adults (age 20 and over) with a normal neurological examination who had a single generalized seizure within 2 weeks prior to admission. Thirty-seven patients had intracranial lesions on CT; of these, 33 had neurocysticercosis, 3 had brain tumors, and 1 had an arteriovenous malformation. Two additional patients had diffuse cerebral atrophy. The therapeutic approach was changed because of the CT findings in 28 patients. Results from this study favor the routine practice of CT in every adult with a single seizure, at least in areas of the world where cysticercosis is endemic.